Drying apparatus



J. L. BUCKLEY mmm APPARATUS July 8, 1924.

Filed March 1 9 Patented July 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENTjoFFlcl-z. 1 f

JOSEPH L. BUCKLEY, OF TREN TON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO PROCTOR & SCHWARTZ, INCORPORATED, OF 1HILADELPHIA,vPENNSYLVANIA, A

CORPORATION PENNSYLVANIA.

DRYING APPARATUS.

Application mea March 1s, i920. serial 110.367,108.

To all whom t may cof/mera.' K y LBe it known that I, Josnrrr L.BUGKLEY, a citizen of the United States, and fresident of Trenton, inlthe, county rof Mercer and State of New Jersey, have invented anew;l

and useful ImprovementinfDrying A ppa`- ratus, ofwhich the following risa Ispecification. "op

This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for drying orconditioning articles composed of clay, porcelain l or they like, withthe object in view of providing such an apparatus which occupies amini-kV mum of Hoor space while being capable of rapidly andsimultaneously drying a large number of articles. v

Another object is to provide such an apparatus, in which the articles tobe dried may be progressively .subjectedy to appropri- Y,

ate conditionsl of treatment and in appropriate positions, kin order toyproduce a uni! form product. i'

Another object consists in providingy certain improvements, in ltheform, construction and arrangement of the several parts, whereby theabove named and other yobjects" may be effectively attained.:

A practical embodiment of the ,invention is represented yin theaccompanying drawings, in wh1ch- Fig. l represents a longitudinalvertical section through the apparatus. l

Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 8 representsa detail elevation, partly broken away, on an enlargedsc`ale,-sho`wing the tray with articlesto be dried thereon. Proportionsare not maintained in this view in order toy better illustrate theconstruction.r Y c The apparatus includes-a rectangular enclosure orhousing v1, whichk is preferably' composed of angle iron framework andthermo-insulated plates 'removably secured to the framework. K

This construction is conventionally shown in the drawings but is fullydescribed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 353,226, filedJanuary r22nd, 1920. This construction is, generally considered, ofstandard form but, as set forth in saidvcopending application, I preferto make use of certain special features such as composing the innersurfaceof the plates whichr constitute the walls, of galvanized steel,in

order to prevent rust, and soldering allv openings into thel interior ofthe plates which may be made during the fitting of the parts, in. orderto prevent access of moisture tothe insulatingmaterial\` -The enclosurel" is divided into several dierent compartments by means of transversepartitions which extend vfrom side to side thereof. One of thesepartitions is denoted by 2 and is vertically disposed near theright'hand end of the enclosure (as seenv is located vertically` at thekend of* the .env closure oppositethe partition 2. Partition 5 is yalsospaced .from the bottom andftop of the enclosure 1 and itA hassubstantially theV same extent as ypartition 2, though itY is somewhatnearer the adjacent end ofthe enclosure than is the latter. Anotherpartition4 6 is horizontally disposed in spaced relation` to the bottomof theenclosure.

One 'endl is bent, as indicated yat 7, andL formed integral" with orconnectedl to the .lower extremity of the partition a.. The

other end of the partition' 6 is spaced a shortv distance from theylower end of partition 5.

These partitions are somewhat diagranrI matically illustratedk anditwillbe understood that they are appropriately secured to yand ysupportedby the angle iron framing'of f the housing. v `Asa result of thisarrangement of partitions, the 'enclosure yis'A divided into what *may4Ybe, considered as four compartments vertically arranged. One of thesecompart-v ments may be called'the dryingcompartment and its scopefisydesignated by the bracket 8. Another may be called the heatingcompartment andis designated by the bracket 9.y The third may be calledVthe auxiliary4 Il (l compartment and is designated by the bracket4 10,lfhe,l fourth may be-called the auxiliary channel and is designated bythe bracket 11. Means is provided for generating',v an air currentwithin the enclosure, and this means consists of a fan 12 that ismounted on a shaft 13 which is journaled in a bearing 14, that is fittedin the partition 2. A beveled gear 15 is fixed to the end of the shaft13 and meshes with another beveled gear 16 that is fixed on a shaft 17,which has its inner end mounted in a bearing 1"8l`securedl to thepartition 2, and eX- tends outwardly to the exterior of the housing 1.lts outer end is journaled in a bearing 19 fixed in the wall of thehousing and carries a pulley 2O which is designed to be driven from `anysuitable source of power, not shown.

"The fan 12 is disposed in an opening formed in the partition 4 andbounded by aliange 21 and the partition 3. These last named parts yserveas ashield around the periphery"lof the fan and compel the air current fgenerated thereby to proceed substantiallyeclusvely in an axialdirection from the fan.

large'perforatedbale plate 22, which may befreferred to as of gratedform, is vertically disposed and extends transversely froin side to sideof' the enclosure 1 'in parallelism'with andftoward the inner part oftheenclosure from. the partition 5. This baffle plate 22 abuts'thetop oftheenclosure and i'sjspaced from and directly above the end ofi thepartition. G which is .adjacent the.. partition 5; the distance betweenthe paiititions and 6 being substantially the saine the distance betweenthe Ypartition the baffle plate 22. The baffle plate 22 isA spaced fromthe partition 5 aboutthe saine` distance that the said partition isspaced from the adjacent wall of the en closure. The part of the baffleplate which projectsy above the partition 5 is solid, for a reasonto behereinafter set forth. The arrangement of these parts is such as to:subdivide the drying compartment into threefsections. One of these maybe called the main or diffusing chamber 225, since the ai'r current isdiffused therein. Another may be called the duct 24, which is bounded bythe baffle plate 22 and partition 5i; while the third'. may be calledthe hori- Zont'al branch 25, which is bounded by the partition 6 and thebottom of thefenclo'sure. `As; a result of the@ arrangementjustdescribed, it will beseen that the air current generated by the fan12 passes longitudh nallythro,ugh the enclosure 1, moving to the left`in` Fig; 1, until it encounters the baflie plate 22, This baille platelwill impede e andzbreak up the air current, but alconsiderablQamountfwill pass through the baflie into the duct 24'and impingeagainstthe partition 5, after which it will take a downward course passingthrough the opening between the partitions 5 and 6, then along below thepartition (3 through the branch 25 and lina-lly be drawn bythe fan upbetween the partitions 6 and 4 on the one hand and the partition 2 onthe other, and again sucked into the fan to be propelled a second timeon itscourse. The bent portion 7 of the partition 6 facilitates thereturn of the air to the fan since it provides a sort of funnel shape atthis point. The action just de-` scribed accounts for the major portionof the air current, but it may be mentioned that a certain amount willproceed directly from the fan to and between the batlie and partition 6,then between the partitions 5 land 6 and so on back to the fan. Thesolid upper portion of the battle 22 prevents the air from passing overthe partition 5 and out of the feed opening in the enclosure, to behereinafter mentioned; while the fact that the partition 5 is solid,prevents theV air which passes through the perforated or grated part ofthe baffle 22 from passing out the said feed opening. Hence, the aircurrent is conserved within the enclosure and required to take an opencircula-r course through the drying and heating compartments, 8, 9. V

l also provide within the enclosure means for heating the air currentand this means preferably consists of a large radiator 2(5- and a pairof small radiators 2T, 28. The largev radiator 26 is located immediatelyin front of the fan 12 and extends substantially vfronrthe partition?)to the partition 6. The smaller radiators are located, one about themiddle of the diffusing chamber 23 and the vother somewhat nearer to thebaiiie plate 22. These radiators are preferably composed of cast iron inorder to eliminate rusting and 'may extend transversely from side toside ofthe enclosure and be supported on suitable angle iron' framing. lprefer to equip each radiator with its own controlling means so as to beable to regulate the supply of steam to each independently of theothers, for the purpose of vary` ing the temperature in different partsof the enclosure when desired, and, as they are well understood by thoseacquainted with this art, no illustration or description is necessary. Ialso prefer to attach steam traps to the discharge end of each radiatorso that the water of condensationinaypass out of the coil while thetrapfretains the pressure within the radiatonthereby securing themaximumheat output with a minimum, number of,v radiators, and thus also.effecting aneconomy, i

Means is provided for transporting, the articles to bedried through theenclosure in contact with the heated air current, and this meansconsists of a pair of endless liu sprocket chains 29, 30, which aremounted adjacent each side ofk the `enclosure 1 and pass around sets ofsprockets.y One set of these sprockets is diagrammatically repref sentedin Fig. l and includes the sprockets 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38.It Win be understood that the other set of sprockets is exactly likethat just described and `is similarly mounted at the opposite side lofthe enclosure. Each pair ofk sprockets is fixed to a shaft which ismounted iny the framework of the sides of the enclosure rand extendstransverse-1y through the enclosure. These shafts are denoted by 39, 40,4l, 42, 43,44, 45 and 46;

In order to provide means for actuating the chains 29, so as to causethem toy travel on-theirendless course, the shaft 44 isdriven through aworm wheel 47y which is fixed thereto. This worm wheel Vis engaged by aworm 48 which is` carried on a shaft 49 that has a worm wheel 50 thatisxed to a shaft 52 journaled in bearings 53, 54,

Aon the top of the enclosure.` The shaft 49 has its lower end mounted ina bearing 55 secured. to the side of the enclosure and its upper endmounted in the bearing 54. A

stepped pulley 56 is secured to the end of the shaft 52 in order toreceive a belt drive from a source of power not shown. It will be notedthat the drive for the chains 29, 30,

is separate from the drive for the fan 12,k

so that the latter ymay be continued in operation `even though thechains 'are 4motionless. Y. f r

As an immediate means. of supporting the articles to be dried, Iprovideltrays, eachof which consists of end members 57 and a shelfmember58. The end members 57 are pivoted yto pins 59 that are securedto thechains 29,30, so that the trays are suspended in a swinging manner fromthe said chains and will thus be carried throughoutthe endless course ofthecliains When thelatter are driven. rThe shelf members 58 arepreferably composed of woodv and provided with a series of vertical pins60, which are preferably composed of copper. Thesepins provide means forsupporting the articlesvto be dried, such as plates v61, ontheir edgesso as to enable the heatedfair current to thoroughly contact with al1surfaces of the said plates. f i

The housing is provided ,with` a'loadin'g opening or doory 62 andadischarge opening 63; although, in some cases, it maybe desirable toboth load and unload through j the opening 62.

In operation, heat will be supplied'to the radiators 26, 27, 28 andthefan 12 and chains 29, 30 lset in operation. The articles to be dried arenow placed upon the shelves 58 of thel trays as the latter slowlypassthe of the housing it will be ynoted that they are out of contactwith 'the heated ar'cur-` rent, being shielded by the partition 5.Nevertheless, they are subjected toa certain elevated temperature whichserves to initiate the drying operation. After the articles havepassed'the sprocket 3l and start their downward course through the duct24, they begin to be impinged upon by the heated vair current shiftingthrough the perforations in the batHe22. The air which passes throughthis baiile will be vbroken up so that its full force will not beexerted against the articles to be dried andk furthermore it will, as aresult` of passing through the perforations in the battle 22, passy intothe duct 24 in various angular directions soy as to contact vthoroughlywith all parts of the articles. `rIt will be noted that-this contact ofair on the articles in *theduct 24 will at firstbe in a directionsubstantially at right angles then, as the current is deflecteddownwardly 'by the partition 5, 'the contact will be inrcurrent,-as\they will then Abe passing between 'the radiators 28 and 27and also be nearer the fan l2.- Afterlthe articles havepassedithesprocket34 and move toward the `to the path of movement of thearticles and d sprocket 35, they 'will be subjected to the .Y

.hot-test ofy the air blast for the purpose of finishing the dryingoperation. ,Upon rounding the `sprocket 35 the articles will move'along'in the upper part of the en closure past the sprocket 36 anddown in theauxiliary compartment 10 until they reach Vthe Aopening 63, at whichtime they maybe unloaded from the trays. Under certain cir-ycuinstances, if desired, the articles may be permitted topass'theopening 63 and continue on throughv the branch 25 until theyy reach theopening y6,2 where they may be unloaded.. f f

From thekforegoing,it will `be seen that d the articles aresubjected toa progressive e drying operation in which the effect of the heat and airis increasedV as the articles movethrough the enclosure; and that theheated air current; is maintained within the enclosure, travellingv inan,y endless course throughout kthe operation. 'lhejarrange-y mentof allpartsis such as to provide a' thorough and intimate contact of vthe dryn ing air with the articles; and it may be yinentioned that thek blowingof the air through the radiators not only heats it, but also servestosomcwhat dissipate or diffuse it andv thus increase its effect.

lt will be understood that various-changes may be resorted to in theform, construction and arrangement o the several parts without departingfrom the spirit and scope of my invention; and hence l do not intend tobe limited to the details herein shown and described, except as they areincluded in the claims.1

what l claim is: 4

l. Apparatus oi the character described comprising, an enclosure,carrier means for transporting` articles to be dried through saidenclosure in a course including substantially if'ertical elements, a'fan located at one side of a majority of' the said elements torgenerating an air current in a substantially horizontal direction,heating means between the` fanv and the said majority of elements, andheating means between other elements. i

2. Apparatus ot the character described comprising, an enclosureincluding a drying compartment, said compartment being encompassed atits ends by solid transverse partitions, whereby auxiliary channels areformed between each end of the said drying compartment and the walls otdie enclosure which channels are substantially tree from the dryingmedium. y

Apparatus of the character described comprising, an enclosure includinga drying compartment, said compartment being encompassed at its ends bysolid transverse partitions, whereby auxiliary channels are formedbetween each end of the said drying compartment and the walls of theenclosure which channels are substantially free from the drying medium,the wall of the enclosure raving a loadingl aperture opening into one ofsaid channels. y

e. Apparatus of the character described comprising, an enclosureincluding a drying compartment. said compartment being encompassed atits ends by solid transverse partitions, whereby auxiliary channels areformed between each end of the said drying compartment and the walls ofthe enclosure which channels are substantially free troni the dryingmediunii, the walls ot said enclosure having loading and unloadingapertures opening into said channels.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising, an enclosureincluding a drying compartment, said compartment being encompassed atits ends by solid transverse partitions, whereby auxiliary channels areformed between each end of the said drying' compartment and the walls ofthe enclosure which channels are substantially free from the dryingmedium, and carrier means traversing the drying compartment and thechannels.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprisingan enclosure includinga drying compartment, said compartment being encompassed at its ends bysolid transverse partitions, whereby auxiliary channels are formedbetween each end of the said drying compartment and the walls of theenclosure which channels are substantially free from the drying medium,the wall of the enclosure havingr a loading aperture opening into one'ofsaid channels, and carrier means traversing the drying con'ipartmcnt andthe channels.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising, an enclosureincluding` a drying compartment, said compartment being encompassed atits ends by solid transverse partitions, whereby auxiliary channels areformed-between each end oit Athe said drying compartment and the wallsof the enclosure which channels are substantially free from the dryingmedium, the walls or' said' enclosure having loading and unloadingapertures opening into said channels, and carrier means traversing thedrying compartment and' the channels.

8. Apparatus ol the character described comprising, an enclosureincluding a drying compartment, said compartment being encompassed atits ends by solid transverse partitions, said partitions being spacedfrom the top and bottom of the enclosure, means between said partitionsfor generating an air current moving longitudinally or said compartment,and a baille for inter.- rupting the course of said current andpreventing it from vpassing' over one of said partitions and `out of thedrying compartment.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising, an enclosureincluding a drying compartment, said compartment being encompassed atits ends by solid transverse partitions, said partitions being spacedfrom the top and bottom of the enclosure, means between said partitionsfor generating an air current moving longitudinally of said compartment,a battle for interrupt ing the course of said current and preventing itfrom passing over'one of said partitions and out ot' the dryingcompartment, the bottom ot the drying compartment having an openingtherein.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising, an enclosureincluding a. drying compartment, said compartment being encompassed atits ends by solid transverse partitions, said partitions being spacedfrom the top and bottom of the enclosure, means between said'part-itionsfor generating an air current moving longitudinally of said compartment,and a bams for interrupting the course of said current and preventing itfrom `passing over oneiof said partitions and out of the dryingcompartment, said baffle being connected to the top of the enclosure andbeing perforated below the level of the top'of the adjacentparcomprising, an enclosure including a drying f' compartment, saidCompartment being encompassed at its ends by solid transversepartitions, said partitions being spaced from the top and bottom of theenclosure, means between said partitions for generating an air currentmoving` longitudinally of said compartment, a baffle for interruptingthe course 0f said current and preventing it from passing over one ofsaid partitions and out of the drying compartment, the bottoni of thedrying compartment having an opening therein, said baiie being connectedto the top of the enclosure and be1- ing perforated below the level ofthe top of the adjacent partition. e

In testimony, that I Claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signedmy name this seventeentlrday or" March, A, D. 1920.

f JOSEPH L. BUCKLEY,

